Abucay, Bataan

Abucay
Balen ning Abukay
Municipality

Abucay Town Hall

Seal
Nickname(s): Abu-kinaykay

Map of Bataan showing the location of Abucay
Abucay

Location within the Philippines

Coordinates: 14°44′N 120°32′E / 14.733°N 120.533°ECoordinates: 14°44′N 120°32′E / 14.733°N 120.533°E
Country  Philippines
Region Central Luzon (Region III)
Province Bataan
District 1st District
Founded 1587
Barangays 10
Government[1]
 • Mayor Ana D. Santiago (NPC)
 • Vice Mayor Khristine G. Dela Fuente (Lakas–CMD)
Area[2]
 • Total 79.72 km2 (30.78 sq mi)
Population (2010)[3]
 • Total 37,719
 • Density 470/km2 (1,200/sq mi)
Time zone PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code 2114
Dialing code 47
Income class 3rd class

Abucay is a third-class municipality in the province of Bataan, Philippines. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 37,719 people.[3] The mainly agricultural and fishing town is located on the eastern part of the Bataan Peninsula, along Manila Bay, with a total land area of 7,972 hectares (19,700 acres).[4] Its westernmost elevated section is located within the Bataan National Park.

The municipality is about 113 kilometres (70 mi) from Manila. It is accessible via the Bataan Provincial Expressway, off Exit 25, or the parallel National Road in Bataan.

Etymology

Abucay originated from "abu-kinaykay" meaning "digging the ashes or fire debris". A Spaniard arrived in the town amid a big fire that destroyed properties. The natives were busy digging the debris with shovel ("kinaykay").[4]

Geography

Abucay is located in the northeastern part of Bataan province with a total land area of 7,972 hectares (19,700 acres).

Topography of Abucay varies from the mountainous terrain of Mount Natib caldera in the west to the coastal areas of the province along the shore of Manila Bay. Six rivers with a combined length of 37 kilometres (23 mi) originate from the mountain flowing in the west-to-east direction.[4]

Secondary forests cover the western mountainous portion which is nearly 38% of Abucay's land area.

History

The first printing press in the Archipelago was found in this town. Tomas Pinpin, the first Filipino printer, learned the art from Fray Francisco Blanca de San Jose and Juan de Vera, a Chinese printer at the University of Santo Tomas.

On June 23, 1647, a fierce battle was fought between the Dutch invaders and the Pampango defenders in the near the Abucay church area. Nearly 200 Pampangos were put to death and 40 others together with Pampanga’s Spanish alcalde mayor (town mayor) Don Antonio de Cabrera together with Dominican priests Father Geronimo Sotomayor and Father Tomas Ramos were taken to Batavia.[5]

Municipal government

Like all the other municipalities of the Philippines, the political seat of the municipal government is located at the Municipal Hall (also called Town Hall).[6][7] During the Spanish colonial period, the Gobernadorcillo is the chief executive who holds office at the town hall, then called the Presidencia.

During the American period from 1898–1946, the elected Mayor and local officials, including the appointed ones hold office at the Municipal Town Hall. The executive and legislative departments perform their functions at the Sangguniang Bayan (Session Hall) and Municipal Trial Court, respectively, which are located at the Municipal Hall.

Abucay's incumbent elected officials are Mayor Ana D. Santiago (NPC) and Vice Mayor Ma. Khristine G. Dela Fuente (Lakas-Kampi-CMD).[8] The eight (8) Sangguniang Bayan members led by the Vice-Mayor hold office at the Abucay Sangguniang Bayan Session Hall.

Political subdivision

Abucay is politically subdivided into 9 barangays.

Population

According to the 2010 census, Abucay has a population of 37,719 people.[3]

Population census of Abucay
YearPop.±% p.a.
1990 26,708—    
1995 29,270+1.73%
2000 31,801+1.79%
2007 38,554+2.69%
2010 37,719−0.79%
Source: National Statistics Office[3]

Demographics

Most of the people of Abucay speaks the Tagalog language. Kapampangans who speak a different dialect of the Kapampangan language abound in Barangay Mabatang.

Economy

Abucay is basically an agricultural and fishing town. Besides Manila Bay, existing fishponds cover an area of 1,521 hectares (3,760 acres) of which 319 hectares (790 acres) are under intensive use while the rest are non-functioning but available for utilization. These fishponds are rich with commercial species like milkfish, tilapia, pla-pla and shrimps.

Agricultural lands in Abucay produces rice, corn, root crops, legumes, vegetable and various kinds of fruits as well as forest-grown bamboo and buho.[4] Most of the walis tambo (local brooms) sold in Baguio City actually came from Abucay.

Local attractions

St. Dominic de Guzman Parish Church

Main article: Abucay Church
Parish Church of St. Dominic de Guzman

One of the oldest in the Philippines, the first Abucay Church was established in 1587 and was administered by the Dominicans in 1588. The present church was built sometime in the early 1600s, the exact year is still unknown. The Church was badly damaged by the earthquake of September 16, 1852 and again by a fire in 1870. Father Jose Diego Pelaez rebuilt the church.

The church still houses the bells donated in 1839 and 1859.[5] The five bells of the Abucay Church were restored on January 17, 1978 by U.S. Naval Base Facility in Subic Bay, Zambales province according to a historical marker in the church.

The Parish of St. Dominic de Guzman has a population of 19,501 Catholics. Its patron saint is Saint Dominic de Guzman and the town's feast day is August 8. The present parish priest is Msgr. Victor C. Ocampo succeeding Father Antonio Quintos in 2011.[9][10][11] The church belongs to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Balanga under the Vicariate of St. Dominic de Guzman.[12][10][13]

Other local attractions

Abucay is still a developing town. Tourism wise, the famous landmarks, include the following:

Tomas Pinpin Monument 
A memorial to Tomas Pinpin, the "Patriarch of Filipino Printing" in Brgy. Ibayo. The monument stands at the center of Tomas Pinpin Memorial Elementary School, the central and the biggest public elementary school in Abucay.
Maria Canon Statue 
In Brgy. Sibul, a tower was erected by the Mie-ken Daiichi Shiēseo of the Japanese Sohyōshin Sports in 1978 to invoke the repose of dead souls from the WWII period.
Pasukulan Falls  
A natural wonder in West Abucay in the forested valley of Mt. Natib that remains unexplored and unspoiled. The place is ideal for picnics.
Sibul Springs 
This potential prime tourist destination in the province in western Abucay boasts sulfuric swimming pools with a wide area for outdoor recreation. Its main attraction is the natural spring believed able to provide muscle pain relief.
Christmas Village in Mabatang 
Christmas celebration in Mabatang extends to the streets of every sitio in the barangay, which are lavishly adorned to rejoice the season.
Raven Resort & Log Cabin.
Abucay Cockpit.

Universities and colleges

Colegio de San Juan de Letran-Abucay

The Abucay campus of the Colegio de San Juan de Letran is situated in a 15 hectares (37 acres) land called Dominican Hills, 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) west of town center of Abucay, on the slopes of Mount Natib at about 840 feet (260 m) in elevation.[14]

Bataan Peninsula State University-Abucay campus

Formerly the Bataan National Agricultural School (BNAS) now part of the state university in Bataan.[15]

Infrastructure

Electric power for Abucay is served by the Peninsula Electric Cooperative (PENELCO).

Waste management

A 10-hectare (25-acre) sanitary landfill in Sitio Macao in Barangay Capitangan is the first of its kind in the province of Bataan,.[16]

Gallery

References

  1. ↑ "Municipalities". Quezon City, Philippines: Department of the Interior and Local Government. Retrieved 13 February 2013.
  2. ↑ "Province: BATAAN". PSGC Interactive. Makati City, Philippines: National Statistical Coordination Board. Retrieved 13 February 2013.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay: as of May 1, 2010". 2010 Census of Population and Housing. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 13 February 2013.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "Abucay, Bataan - Discover Bataan Peninsula". My Bataan. Retrieved on 2014-12-25.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 admin (2012-06-25). "Abucay Church (Parish of St. Dominic de Guzman), Bataan". Philippine Churches. Retrieved on 2014-12-18.
  6. ↑ "Philippines: Gov.Ph: About the Philippines". www.gov.ph. Retrieved 2009-03-28.
  7. ↑ "The Local Government Code Of The Philippines". Chan Robles Virtual Law Library.
  8. ↑ 2013 Candidates in Abucay | List of Candidates for Abucay, Bataan Know Your Candidates.
  9. ↑ Newlyordained
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 List of Catholic Dioceses in Asia | Asian Catholic Directory | Ucanews
  11. ↑ Santo Domingo Church – Abucay, Bataan
  12. ↑ ParishesV1
  13. ↑ Diocese of Balanga
  14. ↑ Sibug, Fr. Joemar L. (2008-02-17). "An emerging university town in Abucay, Bataan". Inquirer.net, Philippine News for Filipinos.
  15. ↑ Abucay History
  16. ↑ "Abucay town builds first sanitary landfill in Bataan" Philstar.com.

External links

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